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In recent years, cryogenic microcalorimeters using their superconducting transition edge have been under development for possible application to the research for astronomical X-ray observations. To improve the energy resolution of superconducting transition edge sensors (TES), several correction methods have been developed. Among them, a clustering method based on digital signal processing has recently been proposed. In this paper, we applied the clustering method to Ir/Au bilayer TES. This method resulted in almost a 10% improvement in the energy resolution. Conversely, from the point of view of imaging X-ray spectroscopy, we applied the clustering method to pixellated Ir/Au-TES devices. We will thus show how a clustering method which sorts signals by their shapes is also useful for position identification.

Anchoring exercises on a training ship have a significant effect on the acquisition of ship handling skills. Furthermore, such training is also effective for the development of critical thinking and problem solving. The authors investigated this topic to develop effective training methods for anchoring exercises. We created a rubric for anchor training, and the instructor evaluated trainees based on the rubric items. These rubrics were effective for judging trainee performance. The effect of dialogue in group work was shown by comments from instructors and the trainees. Group presentations were also evaluated via student comments. After conducting the anchoring training in native language in the spring, the same exercise was conducted in English in the fall. Only English instructions were offered during the training exercise in the first year (2016). In the second year (2017), students took a brief e-learning course in English about anchoring before attempting the second exercise in English. According to instructor evaluations, the second session in 2017 saw a much greater improvement in trainee performance than did the second session in 2016. English practice in the e-learning course allowed students to focus more on practising the techniques they had learned previously when performing the second training exercise in English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ship collisions have been caused by a navigator's error in the situation awareness (SA) of the navigator. In congested sea areas, navigators classify ships on the basis of different priority levels. For safety measures against ship collision, it is imperative for navigators to recognize the ships with high priority levels. In previous study, navigators' SA was measured in a ship maneuvering simulator using the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT). From the results of the previous study, we proposed a new risk category, named as "attention area," that covers ships with high priority level in the SA of navigators. However, the extent of data for navigators' SA was limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to confirm the validity of the category using additional data of navigators SA. In this study, the validity of the proposed category was confirmed, and a limit line surrounding ships with high priority levels was identified. In addition, it was evident that the category was able to detect ships with high priority level around the time when the collision avoidance was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of education, the importance of active learning as a more effective educational method has recently been noted. The element of active learning was introduced to the anchoring training of the training ship for third-year students of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, and its effects have been verified. The learning effect of training was confirmed by the questionnaire results of the students. Moreover, the self-evaluations of student and evaluation of instructor confirmed the skill of grasping a ship's position with improved accuracy and learning effects. Self-evaluation and evaluation by the other student, which were introduced as the element of active learning, both demonstrated a positive learning effect. Furthermore, since an effective training method was examined, a result is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]